“The children have worked really hard over the last few weeks to get the performance ready.

“It has been a particularly challenging year for the Year 6s who have been working hard for their SATS but they have managed to pull this out of the bag, so we are very proud of them.”

The bad witch (Erin Alderson) (left) and the good witch (Perrin Whitton) in the Greatham Primary school production of The Wizard of OZ.

Despite being made in 1939 and a firm favourite on TV at holidays, the story of Dorothy being swept away to the magical world of Oz, was new to some of the youngsters.

Ms Richardson added: “We asked them to give us some ideas of shows they would like to do and tried to pick something which had lots of songs as they really enjoy singing and there was lots of opportunities for solo as well.

“We watched the film largely to learn the songs.”

Staff helped to bring the show to life by working on the scenery and the colourful costumes were mostly created from the school’s props cupboard.

Dorothy (Leona Slaughter) sitting with Wizard (Naonie Porritt, Lion (Geoffrey Wood), Scarcrow (Bradley Ashley) and Tin Man Aiden Vaughan in the Greatham Primary school production of The Wizard of OZ.

The only one they had to buy was for Dorothy.

The principal cast is made up of pupils in Years 5 and 6 aged between nine and 11, while younger children in the school choir also appeared.

It was performed on Wednesday and Thursday night in front of parents and the whole school.